Chapter 47

"Maurice! I have bad news. Very bad news!" Judith rushed into the front yard, panicked, as Maurice rested.

"What's going on?" Maurice was startled. He sensed from Judith's flustered expression that something was seriously wrong.

Judith panted. "I went grocery shopping and overheard people talking about someone who caused trouble at Lucy and Easton's wedding. They rumored that someone called Blade showed up with hundreds of men!"

"You mean our son caused trouble?" Maurice was frightened. He feared for his son's life; many people disappeared after offending the Loughs. Blade sounded ominous—someone clearly not to be crossed.

"Severin was gone this morning. Then, a woman rushed over looking for him, but left when he wasn't home! This is terrible! He must be in trouble! What should we do?" Judith asked anxiously.

"What exactly did they say? Didn't you ask what happened? Severin's still not back, and it's past noon. Could something have happened to him?" Maurice panicked. It was late afternoon—four or five o'clock—the wedding would have ended hours ago. (Remove the search engine promotion)

"I rushed back after hearing that. I didn't ask more questions. I'm worried, Maurice. What if Severin's in trouble again? He was just released! How will we live if he returns to prison? What if they beat him, cripple him, or worse… kill him?!" Judith was distraught.

A small car pulled up and parked in the yard.

"Whose car is that?" Maurice and Judith exchanged confused glances. The car looked brand new. Severin, Diane, and Selene emerged. "Severin? What's happening?" Judith was relieved. "What's with the car?"

Severin smiled. "I bought it!"

"You—you—bought it? Where did you get the money?" Judith exclaimed in disbelief. She never imagined he'd return with a car. He was also wearing new clothes and shiny leather shoes.

"I wanted an Audi or BMW, but Diane didn't let me, so I got a Chevy!" Severin smiled at Diane. He felt incredibly lucky to have her.

"Diane?" Maurice looked at the woman carefully. "Isn't she the one who was here this morning? Her dress is so beautiful I almost didn't recognize her!"

"Mom, Dad, this is my wife, Diane. And this is our daughter, Selene!" Severin smiled, taking Diane's hand.

"Wife?!"

"Daughter?!"

The couple gasped, speechless. Their son, released from prison a day earlier, had a car, a wife, and a daughter. They were stunned.